No rest for the curious

Rising second-year medical students maximizing their summers with research opportunities

This summer, almost a third of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine’s
Class of 2021 decided to forgo their last extended academic break to pursue summer
research opportunities.

In fact, more than half of the class applied for the school’s rigorous and increasingly
competitive, eight-week Research Program for Medical Students. Accepted students are
paired with faculty mentors in either a basic science or clinical setting where they
engage in designing and conducting research with clinical significance.

“Every one of these rotations integrates ‘what would this mean for patients’ and ‘how
is this translated into something eventually meaningful,’ ” says Frank Spinale, M.D.,
Ph.D., associate dean for research and graduate education.

In addition to working with their mentors, students also have weekly seminars organized
by the School of Medicine’s Research Center for Transforming Health. The seminars
include project check-ins, peer discussions and presentations related to research
concepts. Students also present their research to faculty and their peers during the
Wednesday Graduate Student Seminar series in the fall following their research experience
and present a poster at the USC School of Medicine-Palmetto Health research event.

“Not only do we want the students to come away with tangible academic products, but
we also want them to begin understanding how research is all around them and will
be part of everything they do in their careers,” says Christine Turley, M.D., director
of the Research Center for Transforming Health.

The program has seen considerable growth over the last few years, growing from about
15 spots to 24 students this summer participating in one of the school’s official
research opportunities for rising second-year students. The students are conducting
research in Myrtle Beach, Greenwood, Greenville and throughout the Palmetto Health-USC
clinical service lines.

“We are focused on making sure our students and our mentors have a consistent and
rewarding experience,” says Turley. “We are working to enhance the program in such
a way that a deep appreciation for research becomes part of the fabric and culture
of our school.”

Something for everyone

Project topics include investigating new drug therapies that could help prevent heart
failure, the genetics of autism, precision medicine in cancer treatment, opioid withdrawal
in newborns and much more.

“We offer a very wide set of opportunities. But the underlying theme is the same —
critical evaluation, data gathering, what is appropriate, what is fact,” says Spinale.
“We want our students to develop some critical thinking skills. In other words, how
do you really test whether a new drug or therapy is truly beneficial for your patients?”

Chris Ruggiero is working with Shannon Weissman, M.D., clinical professor of internal
medicine, to study the gut microbiome of HIV patients.

Every one of these rotations integrates ‘what would this mean for patients’ and ‘how
is this translated into something eventually meaningful.’

“It’s been an interesting perspective because I’ve never done clinical research, I’ve
always done bench work. So, it’s a completely different challenge, going through charts,”
says Ruggiero. “It is good to work with the faculty one-on-one, I’ll know some of
the internal medicine residents and attendants when I go into my rotations in third
year.”

Ruggiero’s classmate, Michaela Myers, is also working with a mentor in infectious
diseases. She agrees with his sentiments.

“I think it’s a really nice light at the end of the tunnel. First and second year
are so much work classwork, so it’s a really nice way to dip your toe in the clinical
experience,” says Myers.

Rising second-year medical student John Gehris is spending his summer working in Frank
Spinale's lab as part of the American Heart Association’s Cardiovascular Research
Experience Program.

Outside investment

Beyond the School of Medicine’s investment in research opportunities for students,
outside foundations and societies are also putting a greater emphasis on engaging
providers in research earlier in their training. In 2017, the School of Medicine was
awarded five research slots for medical students through the American Heart Association’s
Cardiovascular Research Experience Program.

John Gehris is one of this year’s participants in the program. Gehris is working in
Spinale’s lab. He decided to pursue cardiovascular research after his grandfather
passed away from heart failure last year.

Shyam Desai is another participant in the program. He says he appreciates the practical
nature of his research project. “I like that it has given me a better understanding
of what we are learning in class and how it can be applied to actual patients,” says
Desai.

Another student in Spinale’s lab, Allie Ausburger, is the first Carolina student to
receive a prestigious research scholarship through the American Association of Thoracic
Surgeons.

Across the board, students appreciate the skills and relationships they are building
through their summer research experiences, even if it may mean a little less time
on the beach.

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